Prosecutors charge Pasadena man in alleged knife attack

Suspect allegedly pulls knife on girlfriend on Valentine's Day.

Prosecutors have charged a 24-year-old Pasadena man after he allegedly pulled a knife on his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, prompting her to jump out of her moving car fearing he would hurt her.

Michael Buchanan, who is on parole, faces multiple charges, which include kidnapping, carjacking, making threats and domestic violence with injuries, according to a criminal complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

He was arrested Tuesday in the 200 block of North Glendale Avenue in connection with the Feb. 14 incident, according to Glendale police spokeswoman Tahnee Lightfoot.

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Detectives learned that Buchanan and his 23-year-old girlfriend, who lives in Glendale, reportedly got into an argument about 9:30 p.m. in the area of Harvard Street and Glendale Avenue.

At some point during the argument, he threatened her with a knife and demanded she get into her vehicle, Lightfoot said.

While Buchanan was driving, he continued assaulting and threatening his girlfriend, Lightfoot added.

She feared for her life and safety, so she reportedly jumped out of the moving vehicle in the 700 block of East Chevy Chase Drive.

Buchanan drove away in her car, where she had left her purse and other personal belongings, Lightfoot said.

A 46-year-old Glendale motorist, who was driving behind Buchanan, immediately stopped to help the girlfriend and called police.

She was taken to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for road rash on her knees and left elbow.

Buchanan was previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 2011, according to court records.

Threat and assault-with-deadly-weapons charges were also filed against him on Jan. 23 in a separate case, which is still pending.